Konkuk University (Korean: 건국대학교) is a private research university founded in South Korea in 1931.
Konkuk University is known for its veterinary and art colleges at the Seoul campus. It has two campuses: one in Seoul and one in Chungju. The Seoul campus is located near the Han River, by the Konkuk University Station (subway line number 2 and number 7).
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History
The university was founded in 1931 by Dr. Yoo Seok-chang (pen name: Sanghuh). It was originally known as the Chosen School of Politics (Korean: 조선정치학관; Hanja: 朝鮮政治學館), and was a junior college for future political leaders. In 1959, the school became a "comprehensive university" and was renamed to Konkuk University (from 건국; 建國; Konkuk; lit. ''founding a nation'').
In 2016, Konkuk University celebrated its 70th anniversary. A new emblem featuring Sanghuh Hall, the original building for the Chosun School of Politics, was released in December 2015. The university also unveiled a second ox statue and held a major academic symposium.
In 2017, Konkuk University was selected for the Leaders in Industry-University Cooperation (LINC+) project by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea and has been accredited by the Korean University Accreditation Institute (KUAI), of the Korean Council for University Education, for two consecutive periods.
Administration and organization
Yoo served as the first president of Konkuk University from 1959 to 1961. In September 2016, Sanggi Min became the university's 20th president. The university has four executive vice presidents: provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, executive vice president for public affairs, executive vice president for research, and executive vice president for medicine. The board of the Konkuk University Foundation, which governs the university, includes Chairperson Ja-eun Yoo and eleven other board members who each serve 4-year terms.
Academics
Undergraduate and graduate programs
The Seoul campus is composed of thirteen undergraduate colleges and thirteen graduate schools; the GLOCAL Campus in Chungju is composed of seven undergraduate colleges and four graduate schools.
Konkuk University was ranked as 8th best university in South Korea in 2026. The university was ranked at 7th in 2022 and consistently within the top 10 past few years.
Research institutes
Konkuk University has 58 affiliated and special research institutes in the areas of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Distinguished professors
Yongmin Cho, particle physicist
Roger D. Kornberg, Stanford University professor and 2006 Nobel Prize laureate in chemistry
William F. Miller, Stanford University professor emeritus
Hans Robert Schöler, director of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine
Konkuk Language Institute
In 1990, Konkuk University Language Institute began to provide instruction in English and other foreign languages. Courses on Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Spanish, and Vietnamese are available to Konkuk University students and the general public. In 1998, the institute introduced Korean language programs for foreigners with short-term courses lasting 1–2 weeks, as well as longer 3-month courses. The institute also provides training for Korean language teachers.
Campus
Konkuk University Museum
Established in 1963, Konkuk University Museum features 4,532 historical artifacts, including Dongguk Jeongun, one of the National Treasures of South Korea. The museum originated in Nagwon-dong, Jongno-gu, and in 1985 moved to the Sanghuh Memorial Hall, the building in which the Chosun School of Politics was founded. The museum is open to the public, and special lectures on Korean history and culture are given throughout the year.
Sanghuh Memorial Library
Sanghuh Memorial Library serves as Konkuk University's main library. Opened in 1989, it was the largest library in Asia at the time. As of February 2014, the library had more than 900,000 Korean books and 200,000 foreign language books. Six reading rooms with about 2,200 seats are available, and a reading room on the third floor of the library is open 24 hours a day.
Ilgam Lake
Ilgam Lake is located at the center of Konkuk University's Seoul campus. This swamp was converted to an artificial lake when the university moved the campus from Nagwon-dong to the current location in 1954. In the 1950s and 1960s, indoor ice-skating rinks were uncommon, and the lake was used for national competitions. Occupying 55,661 m2 (599,130 sq ft), the lake accounts for approximately one-ninth of the campus area. To maintain water quality, 650 tons of underground water is added daily, and a motorboat is used to prevent algal blooms.
Student life and university events
Konkuk University has more than 70 student clubs.
Foundation Day is an annual ceremony that commemorates Yoo Seok-chang's founding of Konkuk University on May 15, 1946. It is held for students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and guests. Awards are presented to the faculty and staff who have contributed to the university. Around the same time, Konkuk University's student association organizes the Ilgam Lake Festival. This three-day long event features performances and exhibitions by college departments and student clubs. Famous K-pop celebrities are also invited to perform in a concert.
In late October, colleges and student clubs stage the Fall Art Festival to showcase their academic achievements and artistic talent. This three-day long event is organized by the Student Club Association.
Recent developments
PRIME Project
On May 3, 2016, Konkuk University announced that it was selected by the Korean government to participate in the Program for Industrial Needs-Matched Education (PRIME). Higher education institutions receive incentives for restructuring and training students to meet the society's needs under the project. Of the 75 universities that applied, Konkuk University, Ewha Womans University, Hanyang University's ERICA campus, and 18 other universities were chosen. As a result, Konkuk University is expected to receive up to 450 billion won in government funding over three years until 2018. More than 15% will be allocated for scholarships, and a significant portion will be used to improve educational programs and build infrastructure.
Konkuk Institute of Technology
In 2017, Konkuk University introduced the "Konkuk Institute of Technology" to train and prepare students for industries with significant growth potential. The institute includes eight departments in energy engineering, smart vehicle engineering, smart ICT engineering, cosmetics engineering, stem cell and regenerative biology, systems biotechnology, integrative bioscience and biotechnology, and biomedical science and engineering with 333 students. Konkuk University plans to offer a 5-year BS/MS program, through which all students will receive a scholarship for their graduate education as well as a stipend of 300,000 won per month for book purchases and research, at the institute. The registration fee for all incoming students will be waived.
Plus Semester System
As an alternative to the prevalent 2-semester, 4-year undergraduate programs, Konkuk University introduced the Plus Semester System which will allow students to take initiative in designing their own curriculum. The innovative system is part of an effort to make university education more student-focused and tailored to meet changing industry demands. Konkuk students will be able to choose from a variety of options, including the 2+One-Semester On-The-Job Training program, 3+1 Employment program, 7+1 Self-Designed Semester program, and 4+1 Bachelor's and master's degree program. The 2+One-Semester program allows students to gain work experience during the semester and take classes to fulfill course requirements for their majors during the vacation. For the 7+1 program, students will design their plans for external activities prior to the beginning of the semester. The activities are to develop expertise in areas of interest rather than being limited to opening a new business or finding employment. Once the plans are approved, students receive up to 15 credits once they submit completion reports. The Center for Integrated Science and Technology, which will include four departments in biotechnology and another four in engineering, will offer the 4+1 Bachelor's and master's degree program.
Notable alumni
Academia
Shim Hwa-jin, president of Sungshin Women's University
Arts and literature
Chung Han-ah, novelist
Kim Hyesoon, poet
Jeon Min-hee, fantasy writer
Shin Dong-yup, poet
Shin-ik Hahm, conductor
Business
Chris Nam, president of the Federation of Korean Associations, USA
Civil service, law, and politics
Jeong Ho-yong, politician
Kim Han-gil, politician
Entertainment
Politics
Kang Hoon-Sik, Chief of Staff to the President of Republic of Korea
Jung Chung-rae, Leader of the Democratic Party
Popular culture
Konkuk University has been a popular film location for Korean dramas. Twenty Again, a 2015 Korean television series starring Choi Ji-woo and Lee Sang-yoon was filmed at the main campus in Seoul.
Affiliates
Konkuk University Middle School
Konkuk University High School
Konkuk University Medical Center (KUMC): Located on the west side of the Seoul campus, the current state-of-the-art facility was opened in August 2005 with 875 beds. In 2011, the World Health Organization certified KUMC as a Health promoting hospital and the Korean government also designated KUMC as a "senior medical center" specializing in cancer and cardiovascular diseases. An international clinic for foreign patients has been operating since 2010.
Konkuk Dairy & Ham
Konkuk Asset Management Corporation
The Classic 500
Smart KU Golf Pavilion